Ribbon Fan Palm

The Ribbon Fan Palm (Livistona decora) is an Australian native palm with a soft, weeping crown that sets it apart from the stiff fans of most Livistonas. It reaches about 10m tall and 4m wide over many years, holding a slender grey trunk and a head of deeply divided fronds whose segments hang like ribbons. It is native to coastal eastern Queensland, so heat, humidity, salt air and dry spells are all within its normal range.

Why you'll love it

• The crown moves. Fine drooping leaf segments catch every breeze, which gives a tropical look without the coarseness of a large fan palm.
• Tall in a narrow space. At roughly 10m by 4m it delivers height over a pool or entry without a wide, greedy canopy.
• Genuinely low maintenance. Old fronds shed cleanly as the trunk extends, so there is little to cut or tidy once it is above head height.
• Coastal and humid climates suit it. Salt, humidity and dry spells are all handled once it is established.

Where it works best

Poolside. The root system is not invasive and the crown drops little through the year, which makes it one of the better palms to plant close to paving and water.

Feature planting and entries. A single specimen, or a matched pair either side of a doorway, carries a house front on its own.

Screening and avenues. Plant 2m apart for a palm screen, or 3m to 4m along a driveway where each crown needs room to show its shape.

Growing ribbon fan palm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the fullest crown, though young plants accept part shade. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so cold inland and southern districts are not suitable, and coastal Sydney or Perth gardens should choose a warm sheltered spot.

Soil. Free draining soil, sandy or loamy. Work compost through the backfill at planting and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk base.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers. Once established it copes with dry spells, though regular water gives faster trunk growth. Feed a palm specific fertiliser in early spring and again in mid summer, since palms show potassium and magnesium shortages as yellow or spotted older fronds.

Pruning. Remove only fully brown fronds, cutting close to the trunk. Never trim green fronds to tidy the crown, as the palm draws nutrients from them. The leaf stalks carry small teeth along the edges, so wear gloves.

What to expect when it arrives

This palm is supplied in advanced container sizes: 45L, 100L, 200L and 750L. A 45L plant is a well grown crown at ground level with little clear trunk yet, while the 200L and 750L specimens are mature palms with visible trunk and immediate presence. This species is slow to build trunk height in a garden, putting on its crown first.

Palms are packed with the fronds drawn in for transit and may look tight on arrival; they open out within a fortnight. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our overview of palm tree varieties
• Compare the full palm tree range
• See large palms for instant impact
• Browse other poolside planting options

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Steadily rather than quickly. Expect a full crown within a few seasons and clear trunk to build slowly after that, so the advanced sizes are worth the difference if you want height now.

Is it safe to plant near a pool or paving?

Yes. The roots are fibrous and non invasive, and the crown sheds cleanly, so it is a sensible choice close to hard surfaces and pool edges.

Will it handle frost?

Light frost only, and young plants are the most vulnerable. In cooler districts it needs a north facing wall or overhead tree cover for its first few winters.